Machine for folding and cutting fabrics



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N.H,BRUGE.

MAGHINE FOR FOLDING AND CUTTING FABRIOS,

No. 265,015. Patented Sept. 26, 1882.

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N. H.BRUGE. MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND GUTTING FABBIGS. No. 265,015.

Patented Sept. 26, 1882.

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NITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORMAN H. BRUCE, OF WEST TROY, NEW YORK.

MACHINEFOR F OLDING AND CUTTING FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 265,015, dated September 26, 1882,

Application filed August 1, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, NORMAN H. BRUCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Troy, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines'for Folding and Outting Fabrics, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to certain improvements in machines for'folding and cutting fabrics--such, for example, as the button-stays, facings, and parts for knit goods.

The object of my invention is, first, to provide means for raising or lowering the folder, so that the folded fabric can approach the rollers either horizontally or at an angle; also, to provide means for preventing the lubricant employed in lubricating the journals of the pressure-rollers from passing onto the faces of the rollers; also, to provide means for connecting or disconnecting the gears upon the shaft or axle of the cutter-head and ajournal of one of the pressure-rollers. These objects I attain by a means of the devices illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the machine, taken transversely through the rollers. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable table. Fig. 4 is a view of the pressure-rolls, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a view of the ring or washer of absorbent material. Figs. 6 and 7 are sections of the devices for shifting the intermediate gear.

A indicates the frame of the machine, and B the pressure rolls. These pressure-rolls are journaled in housings O,which are fitted in the vertically-slotted armsa of theframe.

E denotes the cap-plate, through which the adj Listing-screws for limiting the upward movement of the upper pair of housings work.

In rear of the pressure-rollers is a cross-bar, E, secured to lugs upon the arms of the frame, and in rear of this bar is located a rotary head, F, provided with a set of laterally-extending wings, f, upon one of which is fixed the cutter G, which, duringits revolution about the axis of the head, acts in conjunction with'a stationary cutter upon the cross-bar E, so as to cut the folded fabric as it comes from the pressurerollers. Theremainingwingsdepressthe cloth into position to be acted upon by the revolving cutter, and may be two or more in number.

The shaft carrying the rotary head F has its bearings on the horizontal arms H, which extend rearwardly from the frame, and upon one end of said shaft is fixed a gear-wheel, I,which is driven from a gear, K, upon one ofthejournals of the'top pressure-roller through an intermediate gear, L.

At the front of the machine is arranged the feed-table M, upon which the various forms of folders can be secured.

In a-machine of this construction the fabric is passed through the folder, and after being before it passes between the two, in order to prevent the folds from bulging out, while in others-such, for instance, as a strip folded at its edges-the fabric can pass from the folder directly between the pressure-rollers. To such end I provide for a vertical adjustment of the table by adjustably securing it to the station ary frame. This adjustment can be readily attained by providing the table with a slotted leg or bracket and passing a set screw or screws through the slot or slots of such leg into the main frame. v

In working this machine an objectionable feature has been the liability of the oil for Inbricating the journals of the pressure-rollers finding its way onto the faces ofthe rollers, and thusinj uring the fabric which is passed between the rollers. To avoid this I form an annular seat or groove, N, in the end of each roller, and in each of such groovesI place a strip or washer of felt or other absorbent material-su.cb, for instance, as sponge. In this way the oil employed in lubricating can by no possibility run I IOO terial. As it often becomes necessary to run the folded fabric between the rollers without cutting, I provide the following simple and effective means for throwing the gear L into or out of mesh with the gears of the upper roller and the shaft carrying the cutter-head: The gear L is loosely mounted upon a shouldered sleeve, P,which is in turn loosely fitted upon a stationary horizontal axle, Q, extending laterally from an arm, It, fixed to the main frame. The axle is spirally grooved at its outer end, and upon the outer and smaller end of the sleeve P is fitted a milled n'ut, S. The screw T,which secures the nut on said sleeve, passes through the latter and enters the spiral groove on the axle, so that by turning the nut in one direction the sleeve will be moved toward the outer end of the axle, and thus the gear L will be thrown out of mesh with the two other gears and held away from the same. The axle has a vertical adjustment by forming a slot in the arm R and providing a set-screw which fits in the end of the axle and draws a shoulder upon the latter against the arm. The axle of one of the rollers will be provided with fast and loose pulleys driven by belting, as usual.

A handle could be substituted for the milled nut; but I prefer the latter, since if the bandle is placed in certain positions its weight would turn the sleeve.

'Heretofore vertically-adjustable tables have been provided in cloth-cutting machines, and wheelsloose on stationary axles have been provided with annular grooves to receive the edges of cup-shaped disks of felt, such disks having central perforations through which the axles pass, and are held in place by hollow boxes or caps on theaxles, so that the felt serves to take up the lubricant and supply it to the axles, and in a measure prevent thelubricant from escaping over the wheel. Such features, however, do not constitute my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A machine forfoldingand cuttingfabrics, combining in its structure two horizontal revolvingpressing-rollers, and a work-supporting table arranged at one side and in front of the rollers, and vertically adjustable for presenting the fabric to the rollers, either horizontally or at an angle, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for folding and cutting fabric, the combination of two rollers rotating in horizontal planes, one above the other, and both provided at each end with a rigidly-attached journal, and an annular groove in theen'ds of the rollers filled with an absorbent material separated from the journal to absorb the lubricating material which escapes from the jour-' nal-bearin gs of the rollers toward the peripheries of the latter, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for folding and cutting fabric, the combination, with the pressure-rollers and the rotary cutter-head, of a gear located between the gears upon the axles of the cutter-head and one of the said rollers, a sliding sleeve upon which the intermediate gear is loosely mounted, astationary axle supporting the sliding sleeve and spirally grooved atits outer end, and a nut secured upon the sleeve and having a pin entering the spiral groove, whereby the intermediate gear can be thrown into or out of mesh with the said two remain- .ing gears, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NORMAN H. Bane E.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. Noaars, VINToN OooMBs. 

